Needs Improvement
#1757 of 1,823 schools in IN
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Portage Township Schools
2825 Russell St, Portage, IN 46368
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portage
#10 of 10
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#1,008 of 1,047
In district
#11 of 11
Portage Township Schools
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a regular public school located in the heart of Portage, Indiana, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 419 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, Central Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' growth. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is currently at 4.0 out of 10, placing it in the lower tier among Indiana schools based on state rankings.
Academically, students show proficiency rates of 25% in ELA/reading and 27% in math, with room for improvement across all subjects. Notably, science scores are particularly low at 0%, indicating areas where focused development is needed. Central Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area that offers both the comfort and amenities typical of a bustling community.
The school works to provide its students with a solid foundation as they progress through their early educational years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 28.57% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 28.57% (2025).
Location
2825 Russell St, Portage, IN 46368
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Hobart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Haven Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Valparaiso), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wallace Aylesworth Elementary Portage | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Willowcreek Middle School Portage | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| George L Myers Elementary School Portage | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| William Fegely Middle School Portage | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Rowena Kyle Elementary School Portage | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Crisman Elementary School Portage | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Portage High School Portage | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Virgil I Bailey Elementary School Lake Station | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Ethel R Jones Elementary School Portage | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| South Haven Elementary School Valparaiso | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS Lake Station | 2.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Liberty Elementary School Hobart | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Charter School of the Dunes Gary | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Hobart High School Hobart | 4.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Gary Middle School Gary | 4.0 mi | 5.1 |
| John I Meister Elementary School Hobart | 3.6 mi | 2.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46368 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,638
Median Home Value
$213,500
Median Rent
$1,140/mo
Population
40,237
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
72.5%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $72,638. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,500, with a median rent of $1,140/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson Elementary School Madison, IN | 3.7 |
| Clarks Creek Elementary Plainfield, IN | 3.7 |
| Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary, IN | 3.7 |
| Fairview Elementary School Logansport, IN | 3.8 |
| Henry S Evans Elementary School Lake Station, IN | 3.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School South Bend, IN | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary School
What grades does Central Elementary School serve?
Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary School rank in IN?
Central Elementary School is ranked #1757 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 31.6% math proficiency and 31.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,351/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Porter County
- Phone
- (219) 763-8015
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portage Township Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,588
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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